Drivers faced M6 traffic on July 9, 2026 after overnight roadworks overran their 6am finish on the southbound carriageway in Cheshire. National Highways said lanes 2, 3 and 4 remained closed between junctions 21A and 21 while crews removed traffic management measures.
National Highways: North-West said the delays were in excess of 120 minutes and congestion stretched for 6 miles. The route affected was the M6 southbound between junctions 21A and 21, Croft Interchange.
National Highways: North-West
“The #M6 in #Cheshire southbound between J21A-J21 has lanes 2,3 and 4 (of 4) closed due to roadworks that have over ran their pre-agreed end time of 6am.Lane closures are in the process of being removed.There are delays in excess of 120 minutes with 6 miles of congestion.” National Highways: North-West posted on July 9, 2026.
That message set out the practical position for drivers: three lanes were still shut after the planned deadline, and the traffic queue had already built into a long delay on a main commuting route. National Highways said traffic conditions were expected to improve once all lanes reopened.
junctions 21A and 21
The disruption hit during rush hour, when drivers were already on the road. National Highways urged motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes where possible.
The key issue for anyone approaching the stretch was not the roadworks themselves, but the overrun. Once the lane closures were fully removed, the delay should ease quickly; until then, the queue remained the main obstacle on the southbound M6.
